12 Important Benefits of Acai Berry Plus Delicious Recipes

Latin Name
Euterpe oleracea
The word acai is pronounced ah-sah-EE.

Growing, Cultivation, and Harvest
The juice and berries of acai are an important food source for the indigenous populations of Brazil. Acai is traditionally served in gourds, and mixed with tapioca, sugar and honey. Freeze dried powders, juices and supplements have become a very popular health food outside the region in recent years for it's energizing antioxidant benefits as part of a weight loss diet.

The Science of the Active Ingredients
Anti-oxidant

How to Take & Uses
Freeze dried Acai is used to make healthy smoothies, and juices, often mixed with blueberries, raspberries and other antioxidant fruits. The fresh fruit is only available in tropical regions. Acai is often found in supplement form.

Acai products have become popular in the United States, where they have been marketed for weight-loss and anti-aging purposes.

The Federal Trade Commission has taken action against companies that marketed acai weight loss products in allegedly deceptive ways.

Acai fruit pulp has been used experimentally as an oral contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Acai products are available as juices, powders, tablets, and capsules.

Health Benefits

1. Boosts energy levels

Acai berries received the “superfood” label mainly thanks to their ability of boosting energy levels and improving one’s overall health state. Their high content of minerals and vitamins recommend these fruits as well as the tea obtained from acai as a great source of energy for an active person.

2. Promotes a healthier vision

Responsible for the vision-enhancing effects of the acai berry herbal tea is the high amount of vitamin A contained by these fruits. This micronutrient keeps the eyes healthy and contributes to a more beautiful skin as well.

3. Improves mental sharpness

Besides supporting the functioning of the nervous system through their high amounts of nutrients, acai berry fruits also provide a compound called pterostilbene, which was found to reverse the effects of aging on brain’s functioning and to improve mental alertness. Also, the tea obtained from these fruits is known to reduce physical and mental fatigue.

4. Enhances nutrients absorption

Acai berry herbal tea helps the body absorb more nutrients by contributing to the removal of toxins from tissues and blood flow. Moreover, being loaded with vitamins and minerals – such as vitamin A, C, B1, B2, B3 and E, it enhances the overall health state and revitalizes the body.

5. Reduces inflammation

The tea is rich in fatty acids that allow the neurotransmitters, hormones and insulin receptors in our body to work more efficiently. This reduces the risk of inflammation occurrence. Also, the antioxidant ingredients in acai fight against the harmful effects of free radicals, preventing the damage caused by these byproducts and consequently, the inflammatory processes triggered by free radicals.

6. Fights against cancer

Another amazing benefit given by the high amount of antioxidants in acai berry tea refers to the ability of these tiny fruits to fight against certain forms of cancer. Acai berries are 10 times richer in antioxidants than grapes, and contain twice the amount of cancer-fighting compounds provided by blueberries.

7. Supports weight loss

By providing digestive fibers and enhancing the nutrients’ absorption, acai berries contribute to a healthier digestion and this means a more efficient conversion of carbs and fats to energy. As the body starts using the stored lipids in a more effective manner, the fat layers underneath the skin reduce their thickness and this contributes to a lower body fat percentage and lower body weight. Moreover, the anthocyanins contained by the acai berry herbal tea seem to prevent the build-up of fats, and this makes one less likely to gain extra weight.

8. Slows down aging

Through its trace minerals and amino acids, acai berry keeps the muscles active and helps in their regeneration after physical effort, preventing the typical muscle weakness that appears in elders. Moreover, it is rich in fatty acids that penetrate the cell membranes, improving their elasticity and helping cells – including those in skin – to function better. Cumulated, these effects delay the onset of the typical signs of aging.

9. Regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels

Loaded with omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids as well as with large amounts of proteins and fibers, acai berry fruits are able to lower LDL cholesterol levels and to regulate blood sugar values, contributing to a healthier circulation and reducing the risk of diabetes and heart conditions.

10. Detoxifies the body

The fruits are rich in fibers, which help the body flush out toxins, byproducts, excess hormones and food waste in a more efficient manner.

11. Strengthens immunity

As previously said, acai berries are rich in antioxidants which are known as very powerful immunity-enhancers. One cup of acai tea on a daily basis keeps ailments away and strengthens your immunity, helping your body fight more efficiently against viruses, bacteria and other harmful pathogens.

12. Keeps the heart heathly

Acai berries and the tea obtained from these fruits provide important amounts of anthocyanins, active principles known to support the cardiovascular function and a healthy heart. Being 10 to 30 times richer in these ingredients than red wine, acai berry herbal tea can make a great addition to your dinner.

Spiritual Folklore
The acai palm tree of which these tasty and tiny fruits are harvested originates in the Amazon region of South America. The term “acai” comes from the “ica-cai” word used by the indigenous, and it’s translated as “fruit that cries”. Where does this strange name come from?
The legend says that in mythological times, a chief of the Amazon tribe had a daughter named Iaca, whose newly born child was killed because of the general hunger the tribe was struggling with. Iaca was devastated by her child’s death and mourned him for a long time, but one day she heard a baby’s cry outside her hut and decided to find that baby.

She looked for him until she was too tired to return home, so she laid beneath a tree that was springing from the ground. Legend says Iaca died there and when her body was discovered, the chief decided to name the tree after his daughter. That’s when the fruits of this tree were also discovered, and the chief saw they were tasty and able to satisfy the hunger of the tribe, so the decree to kill the newborns was lifted.

Although this is probably only a sad legend, facts show that the tribes of the Amazon did use the acai berries as their main source of energy for years, and this already tells us a lot about the nutritional benefits of the tiny fruits!

Contraindications
Acai berry has not been studied heavily. If you have pollen allergies or are sensitive to acai or similar berries, you may want to avoid this fruit. When eaten in moderate amounts, though, acai is likely safe.

However, if you are scheduled for an MRI, make sure to tell your doctor if you have consumed any acai berry. They may disrupt a proper reading.

Recipes
Hawaii 5-0 Rainbow Bowl
Serves: 1
Hands-on time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Using frozen fruit in the acai purée helps to achieve a thick consistency, but avoid adding ice, as it can water down the flavors. For the topping, fresh fruit works best, but frozen and thawed can also work in a pinch.
INGREDIENTS:
ACAI PURÉE

• 1/2 small banana
• 1 100-g (3.5-oz) pack frozen unsweetened acai berry pulp; before opening your acai pack, run pack under water for 5 seconds to thaw and break the frozen pulp into smaller pieces.)
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

TOPPINGS

• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/2 kiwi, peeled and sliced or chopped
• 1/2 small banana, sliced
• 1/4 cup peeled and chopped pineapple or mango
• 1/4 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup granola, optional
• Drizzle of raw honey, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare acai purée: In a blender, add banana, acai pulp, strawberries, blueberries and a splash of milk. (TIP: Add to blender in that order as adding softer ingredients first makes it easier on your blender blades.) Blend on low until larger chunks are broken down, then gradually increase speed, adding a splash of milk at a time, and stopping to scrape down sides of blender if needed. When ingredients have mostly come together and all of milk has been added, blend on high for 15 to 20 seconds more.
2. Add toppings: Pour acai purée into a bowl and arrange toppings in stripes of their respective color to form a rainbow: from left to right, arrange blueberries, kiwi, banana, pineapple and strawberries. Sprinkle with granola and drizzle with honey (if using).

Nutrients per serving (1 bowl): Calories: 327, Total Fat: 9 g, Sat. Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g, Carbs: 63 g, Fiber: 11 g, Sugars: 37 g, Protein: 4 g, Sodium: 106 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg

Green Tropicalada Bowl
Serves: 1
Hands-on Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
For an added health and color boost, try adding about 1 teaspoon of spirulina to the acai purée.
INGREDIENTS:
ACAI PURÉE

• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 cup fresh kale
• 1/2 small banana
• 1 100-g (3.5-oz) pack frozen unsweetened acai berry pulp, before opening your acai pack, run pack under water for 5 seconds to thaw and break the frozen pulp into smaller pieces.)
• 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (TIP: Instead of almond milk, you can substitute a mix of ¼ cup coconut milk combined with ¼ cup water.)

TOPPINGS

• 1/2 small banana, sliced
• 2 tbsp peeled and chopped pineapple
• 1/4 cup granola, optional
• 1 to 2 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
• Drizzle of raw honey, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare acai purée: To a blender, add spinach, kale, banana, acai pulp, mango and a splash of milk. (TIP: Add to blender in that order as adding softer ingredients first makes it easier on your blender blades.) Blend on low until larger chunks are broken down, then gradually increase speed, adding a splash of milk at a time, and stopping to scrape down sides of blender if needed. When ingredients have mostly come together and all of milk has been added, blend on high for 15 to 20 seconds more.
2. Add toppings: Pour acai purée into a bowl, then add toppings and drizzle with honey (if using).

Nutrients per serving (1 bowl): Calories: 344, Total Fat: 13 g, Sat. Fat: 6 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g, Carbs: 55.5 g, Fiber: 10 g, Sugars: 31 g, Protein: 8 g, Sodium: 153 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg

Peanut Butter Loco Moco
Serves: 1
Hands-on Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
This acai bowl recipe takes its name from Loco Moco, a popular, protein-dense Hawaiian breakfast dish that features white rice topped with hamburger patties, fried eggs and gravy. This cleaned-up breakfast packs plenty of protein with peanut butter along with vitamins and minerals from the almond milk and berries. You can also add a scoop of your favorite protein powder for an added protein spike!
INGREDIENTS:
ACAI PURÉE

• 1/2 small banana
• 1 1/2 tsp natural unsalted peanut butter
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 100-g (3.5-oz) pack frozen unsweetened acai berry pulp; before opening your acai pack, run pack under water for 5 seconds to thaw and break the frozen pulp into smaller pieces.)
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (TIP: Instead of almond milk, you can substitute a mix of ¼ cup coconut milk combined with ¼ cup water.)

TOPPINGS

• 1/2 small banana, sliced
• 1/4 cup granola, optional
• 2 tsp shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 tbsp cocoa nibs
• 1 1/2 tsp natural unsalted peanut butter
• Drizzle of raw honey, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare acai purée: To a blender, add banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder, acai pulp, strawberries and a splash of milk. (TIP: Add to blender in that order as adding softer ingredients first makes it easier on your blender blades.) Blend on low until larger chunks are broken down, then gradually increase speed, adding a splash of milk at a time, and stopping to scrape down sides of blender if needed. When ingredients have mostly come together and all of milk has been added, blend on high for 15 to 20 seconds more.
2. Add toppings: Pour acai purée into a bowl, then add toppings and drizzle with honey (if using).

Nutrients per serving (1 bowl): Calories: 419, Total Fat: 24 g, Sat. Fat: 8 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6.5 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6.5 g, Carbs: 48.5 g, Fiber: 15 g, Sugars: 19.5 g, Protein: 10 g, Sodium: 111 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg
20 More Acai Berry Bowl Recipes here: https://draxe.com/acai-bowl/
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